The first intelligence tests: how did each figure define & measure
intelligence?

Modern intelligence testing: Stanford-Binet vs. Wechsler tests

standardized scoring -- what is ďaverage?Ē

C. Issues in Intelligence Testing (we won't cover this in
class...)

Standardization

Refers both to the establishment of performance norms and to the uniformity
in how the test is administered and scored

Reliability- the extent to which a test yields consistent results

assessed by consistency of scores on:

two halves of the test

alternate forms of the test

re-testing the same individual

Stanford-Binet and Weschler scales both have test-retest corrletions of
at least .9

I.e., are deemed very reliable

Validity - Does test measure what itís intended to measure?

Does test correlate with other measures of same construct?

School achievement

IQ tests (I.e., S-B and the Wechsler) correlate highly with academic acheivement,
especially in elementary school

On-the-job performance & other work-related variables? The results
are not quite so clear cut

Biases (may or may be covered by group presentation)

American blacks score on average 10-15 points lower

1979 California banned use of IQ scores to place black children in classes
because greater prop of black children were placed in classes for mentally
handicapped

But arguments that IQ tests are NOT biased because they have good predictive
validity -- same legal argument presented roughly at same time in Chicago
-- this time use of IQ scores said to be appropriate for class placement

obviously, its become a political issue

"perpetuating discrimination" verus "killing the messenger"

Compromise - use tests that are not affected by cultural background (e.g.,
Raven's Progressive Matrices test)

emphasize perceptual and spatial ability

avoid items which presume an extensive background of particular culture

"in light of the effectiveness of current IQ tests to predict school performance,
it is ironic that tests have been outlawed for the very purpose for which
they were designed -- to prevent subjective judgement and prejudice from
being the basis for assigning students to special classes or denying them
certain privileges" (Weinberg, 1989)

The IQ test was invented to predict academic performance, nothing else.
If we wanted something that would predict life success, weíd have to invent
another test completely." Social psychologist Robert Zajonc (1984)